In China, Teachers Get Gucci Bags And Envelopes Full Of Cash

These days, being a teacher in China comes with its perks. Not
only would the position offer you absolute imperial authority,
but you would also get lots of presents. Some very NICE presents.

September 10 was Teacher’s Day, and on that day Chinese teachers
are spoiled rotten, according to the Wuhan
Morning Post.

From gift vouchers, to perfume, cosmetics, scarves, flowers,
and chocolate, more than 60% of Chinese
parents admit that they spend on average 200 to 500 RMB
($30 to $50) on presents for teachers according to a survey by
the newspaper.

Except during the Cultural Revolution, teaching has always been
considered as a particularly respected profession, a tradition
inherited from Confucianism.
Today though, most Chinese parents believe that
their child will
be “treated better” if they lavish gifts onto the teachers.

Just like the prevalent corruption of Chinese officials, the
culture of gift giving to teachers has changed, turning into a
way to bribe teachers into giving better grades.

“I saw a little girl carrying two Gucci bags
this morning when I was sending my son to school…”
the China
Times quoted a blogger from Shenzhen city.

In fact, in richer urban areas, parents do not hesitate to hand
over a “red
envelope:” In China, a little red envelope filled with money
is given during holidays or special occasions. The amount of
money in the envelope can be as much as 10,000 RMB ($1600).

Ms. Lee, a kindergarten teacher, told the China Times: “I myself
gave a whole month’s salary in a big red envelope to my
daughter’s teacher. The majority of parents do it. If we don’t
follow, we are afraid our child will be ignored,” Lee said.

Bao Xiaoming, a parent from Shanghai said, “Before I started
giving a red envelope to the kindergarten teacher, my daughter
often came home complaining that she was starving to death. Now
she comes home telling me she is full. Besides, each time the
teacher gets a present, my daughter gets praise on the following
days… Now I have the conditioned reflex – whenever my daughter
gets criticized at school, I ask myself whether or not it’s time
again to give a gift."